In its final report, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has determined that pilot error was the likely cause of the August 2019 plane crash involving NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr., his wife Amy, and their daughter Isla. The incident occurred as the Earnhardts’ plane approached the airport in Elizabethton, Tennessee. The aircraft, a Cessna Citation Latitude, bounced upon its initial contact with the runway and ultimately skidded off, crashing through a chain-link fence before coming to a stop. Thankfully, everyone on board escaped without serious injury, despite the plane catching fire.
According to the NTSB, the crash was primarily due to the pilot’s decision to continue an unstable approach and failure to initiate a go-around before the first touchdown. This led to a bounced landing, loss of control, and subsequent runway overrun. Additionally, the report highlighted that the pilot’s failure to deploy speedbrakes during the initial landing attempt may have contributed to the plane’s runway excursion. The NTSB also pointed out that the pilot’s inability to maintain appropriate airspeed and descent rate further exacerbated the situation.
The pilot, Richard Pope, explained to investigators that the plane was flying faster than usual on approach because the Cessna Citation Latitude had a tendency to slow down quickly. Despite this, the plane bounced three times upon landing, leading to the eventual crash. The NTSB’s findings underscore the importance of adhering to stable landing protocols and making timely decisions to ensure safety during flight operations.
The Earnhardts were en route to Tennessee for the Bristol NASCAR race weekend, where Dale Jr. was scheduled to work as a commentator for NBC Sports. Although he missed the weekend’s events to recover from the traumatic experience, he returned to finish the season and continues his broadcasting role. In the months following the crash, Dale Jr. devoted considerable time to researching aviation safety to rebuild his confidence in flying.
Since stepping away from full-time racing in 2017, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has made occasional appearances in NASCAR’s Xfinity Series. Notably, just over two weeks after the crash, he competed at Darlington, where he secured a fifth-place finish. Despite the harrowing experience, Dale Jr. has remained active in the sport, both as a broadcaster and a driver, demonstrating his resilience and enduring passion for racing.
Be the first to comment